Bible Studies

---

THE WORK AT GOLGOTHA FOR THAT AT GILGAL
(A study of Romans 5:1-5)
As the church increases, it came to a time when her members were of divided opinion about the issue of circumcision. However, in Romans chapter 5, Paul shows that circumcision is not the prerequisite for partaking in the promises of God.
“Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 5:1
“Now” indicates that human relationship with God was not good before. Hence there was no peace for the people (Revelation 12:12). However, Christ the prince of peace came to the world to restore the broken relationship between man and his creator. Christ came to reinstall the peace that human lost due to disobedience. But this is for those that will accept him as saviour. Christ death was to put us right with God.

“To be put right” with God is to be justified.
“Those who work are paid wages but they are not regarded as a gift; they are something that has been earned. But those who depend on faith, not on deeds, and who believe in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is this faith that God takes in to account in order to put them right with himself.” Roman 4:4-5
This shows that we have not worked for being put right with God, we do not deserve to be put right with him, but “while we are still sinners, Christ thought of us” (Romans 5:8)
That we are put right with God means that He has pardoned our sin.
“Happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are pardoned” Romans 4:7, psalm 32:1-2
However, this happiness (been put right with God) is not just for a particular race but for all human race (Romans 4:9, john 3:16). So we as Christians are meant to make others know this. It is after one is put right with God that such person can have peace with Him.
Romans 1:18-32 illustrates how God abandoned people to their evil desires due to the stiffness of their heart and unwillingness to accept him.
WHAT THEN IS REQUIRED OF A MAN TO BE PUT RIGHT WITH GOD?
As shown in verse 1 of Romans 5, the only precondition that qualifies a man to be put right with God is faith.
WHAT IS FAITH?
“To have faith is to be sure of things we hope for, to be certain of the things we can not see.” Hebrews 11:1
The thing that we hope for is to share in the glory of God. No one has ever seen God, but one needs to believe that He exists and that he rewards those who seeks him (Hebrews 11:6)


PART II
“He has brought us by faith in to this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live” Romans 5:2
Christ’s death on the cross brought us in to the time of grace (a time that we can obtain mercy as a result of Jesus the advocate pleading for us (Hebrews 4:16, I john 2:1).
Joshua 5:2-8 shows how the Israelites had to be circumcised before they could enter the Promised Land. So also, no one can enter in to the time of grace until the death of Christ on the cross. Christ’s death invalidates the physical circumcision, replacing it with the spiritual circumcision (having faith in God).
“For when we are in union with Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor the lack of it makes any difference at all; what matters is faith that works through love” Galatians 5:6
Worldly status is of no importance in the presence of God but faith does. However, faith without work is dead (James 2:14-26). But faith works on the basis of love. Your faith is dependent on the level of your love.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE GOD?
“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” John 14:15
When you love God, you will do His will. Consider this quote, “If I say I love God, don’t believe it until my actions prove it”-William O. You may confess that you love God with mouth, but this is invalid if you can not show that love through your obedience to him. As illustrated in James 2:14-26, faith alone can not save an individual. Your faith together with your actions will put you right with God. Based on the examples cited in the previous scripture, it is obvious that both Abraham and Rahab backed up their faith with their actions (obedience) and that made them to be put right with God.

Since faith works through love; what are the characteristics of love?
“...Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail” I Corinthians 13:4-7
Then, if love labours, you are meant to be among the labourers that are needed to turn people to Christ in this generation (Matthew 9:37). You are meant to make Christ known to others as He has charged every Christian.
“Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age” Matthew 28:19-20
The great commission is for every believer to go and tell others about Christ. It is therefore impossible to claim that you have faith if you neglect the work to which Christ has called you. You should realise that, “Since you have known Christ, everyday is an oppourtunity for you to make him known. Those who can not do this can not bear good fruit and their faith is dead.
“The axe is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire” Matthew 3:10

PART III
“And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval.” Romans 5:2b-4a
A Christian’s hope is that one day Christ will come back in his glory to judge the world and that he may be counted worthy of sharing in His glory.
As a Christian you need to realise that you are not exempt from persecution, but God will give you strength to face all circumstances (Philippians 4:13)
“...The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33
“But whoever holds out to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13
There will be troubles on your journey with Christ but you need to endure to the end. Your endurance will bring God’s approval.

SHALOM!!!

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE